Chico State students looking for a break between or after classes Thursday can pick up a paintbrush and enjoy a free drink at the Paint and Boba event in Room 171 of the Meriam Library, from 3-4 p.m
Attendees will receive a canvas, acrylic paints and boba drinks. There’s a choice of either Thai iced tea or strawberry fruit tea with tapioca pearls, courtesy of local catering company, PB & Jimmy’s. The event is designed to give students a chance to relax, socialize and take a break from schoolwork while creating a piece of art to take home.
“We came up with the idea of painting since it’s a relaxing activity where we can all take a seat together and initiate conversations,” said Thu Thitsar Thaung Htay, lead cultural programmer of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Resource Center.
The event is hosted by APIDA Resource Center in collaboration with Eta Mu Theta, a Hmong multicultural fraternity. Students can expect a welcoming environment to foster connections and try boba drinks while engaging in arts and crafts.
Boba, a tea-based beverage that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, combines milk with chewy tapioca pearls and holds cultural significance in many Asian communities, according to The Moco Student.
For Eta Mu Theta, the event is more than just painting or drinks; it’s about fostering a greater sense of campus community, especially with other multicultural organizations.
“We agreed since the brothers love to frequent the APIDA Center and the CCLC (Cross-Cultural Leadership Center), so it’s awesome to be able to collaborate now too,” said Leslie Bun, Eta Mu Theta’s vice president and secretary.
“This partnership adds to the many events our organization and the East Wing Affinity Centers have run since we were first founded 10 years ago,” said Anthony Dang, recruitment chair. “It means so much to continue the traditions our founding fathers started and showcase the diversity of our brothers.”
Founded in Chico on Feb. 25, 2015, Eta Mu Theta supports the National Association for Multicultural Education, making events like Paint and Boba particularly meaningful.
“Being part of this fraternity has been an amazing way to express myself and put my energy toward something meaningful for the community,” said Josh Perkins, social and scholar chair.
Eta Mu Theta emphasizes that going out in public means representing culture, identity and community, as diversity is a core pillar of the fraternity. “I saw my people-queer, neurodivergent and had a lot of fun talking to them. That feeling of safety and support the brothers provide is priceless,” Bun said.
Eta Mu Theta hopes that students will realize there are a variety of different organizations on campus trying to make a difference in the community, whether that’s being part of Greek life, like it was for some brothers.
“I was always interested in pursuing Greek life, and the moment I met my brothers, I immediately knew this fraternity was something I wanted to join,” Perkins said.
Though Paint and Boba is a one-time event, APIDA hopes to continue collaborating with Eta Mu Theta in the future to continue fostering connections and a sense of multicultural unity.
APIDA hopes that students, after attending this event, will visit again in the future, either just to hang out or for other events, to create a supportive community for students and a sense of home away from home.
Other events coming up at the APIDA center include: Ink & Think: What’s Cooking In The Kitchen on Wednesday at 11 a.m., Joss in Life and Death on Wednesday at 3 p.m., and Asian Night Market at Kendall Lawn on Friday at 5 p.m. APIDA hosts many events, which can be found on CatsConnect.
Lucy Bakowski can be reached at [email protected]
